The Orihuela Town Council is finalising a local bonoconsumo campaign ahead of the Christmas festivities. This decision comes after the Alicante Provincial Council did not include such a scheme in this year’s budget, prompting several municipalities, including Guardamar del Segura and Torrevieja, to initiate their own programs with local resources. The Official Gazette of the Province of Alicante has published the general regulatory bases for the initiative.

Eligible participants must be adults registered in Orihuela and will receive discounts on goods and services from one hundred and forty-three participating commercial establishments. Vouchers will be available in denominations of ten, twenty, fifty, and two hundred euros, with consumers required to pay half of the total amount online. Each person can purchase as many vouchers as needed, provided the total does not exceed two hundred euros. It is important to note that as this is a public assistance scheme, recipients must declare it as capital gain in their 2025 income tax return.

For those unable to access vouchers through digital means, the Department of Commerce will set up a collection point by appointment. Despite the approval of a four hundred thousand euro budget in February, the Socialist Party of Spain has criticised the council for delaying the initiative, stating that it was only initiated in July, which hindered preparations for the back-to-school campaign.

Commerce councillor Vicente Pina highlighted that this initiative is expected to inject eight hundred thousand euros into local trade. He also noted ongoing grants to support new and existing businesses, alongside various promotional activities, including the Christmas shop window competition and events, which are also currently being awarded. The successful Tardeada festival is being held in collaboration with four other departments.